barely good

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "barely good" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is just acceptable or meets the minimum standard, but not much more than that. Example: "The movie was barely good; it had some entertaining moments, but overall it fell flat."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

15 human-written examples

Because I remembered the taste of the Château d'Yquem, it was barely good at all.

The New Yorker

Her grades were meagre, barely good enough for her to proceed to the next level.

The New Yorker

Carlton's kick was long enough, but it curved left and was barely good.

The New York Times - Sports

It takes something special, then, to be consistently quite bad and yet just barely good enough.

The New Yorker

Its combination of Cumberland sausage, mushrooms and brown sauce proving barely good enough to throw at the royals in republican protest, let alone a celebratory feast.

Independent

"The program was usually just barely good enough at analyzing the grammar of sentences to discern where phrases begin and end," Minsky told me.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

But it's hard to deny the breezy familiarity that comes with these just-barely-good-enough midsized movies that Rogen (who co-produced this with longtime partner Evan Goldberg) cranks out with regularity.

The Guardian - Film

It was always source of amusement to me how everyone just politely took a seat with barely a "Good morning" to the person sitting right beside.

Vice

She offered a barely veiled "good riddance".

The New York Times

Inika Blossom £13.50, 0845 045 0664 inikacosmetics.co.uk Barely there, good for the is-she/ isn't-she look.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"Before the group was formed we barely said good morning to each other; now we're in and out of each others' houses," says Phil Dodd.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "barely good" to express a situation where something meets the minimum standard but is not exceptional. For emphasis, consider pairing it with phrases like "barely good enough" to highlight the marginal nature of the acceptability.

Common error

Avoid using "barely good" when you intend to convey genuine praise or satisfaction. This phrase inherently suggests a minimal level of quality, so using it inappropriately can undermine your intended positive sentiment.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "barely good" functions as an adjective phrase that modifies a noun, indicating that something is only minimally satisfactory or acceptable. It suggests a low level of quality. As Ludwig AI shows, the phrase is used to express that something meets the lowest acceptable standard.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

8%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "barely good" serves to express a minimal level of acceptability or quality. According to Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct and commonly used in various contexts. It is most frequently found in news and media sources and can be used to indicate something meets the lowest acceptable standard. While grammatically sound, it's crucial to consider the specific context and intended nuance when using "barely good", to avoid unintentional understatements or misrepresentations. Consider alternatives if a stronger positive sentiment is desired.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

hardly adequate

Replaces "good" with "adequate" and "barely" with "hardly", suggesting a similar level of insufficiency.

marginally acceptable

Uses "marginally" instead of "barely", highlighting the slight degree to which something meets the acceptable standard.

scarcely satisfactory

Employs "scarcely" in place of "barely" and "satisfactory" instead of "good", conveying a similar sense of just meeting the minimum requirement.

just passable

Indicates that something only meets the minimum requirements to pass or be considered acceptable.

minimally sufficient

Emphasizes that something is only just enough to fulfill a particular need or requirement.

only just acceptable

Highlights the narrow margin by which something is deemed acceptable.

faintly positive

Implies a slight or weak positive quality, aligning with the idea of something being "barely good".

slightly above average

Indicates a minimal improvement over the average, aligning with the concept of "barely good".

not quite bad

Uses a double negative to express that something is not terrible but also not particularly good.

almost satisfactory

Suggests that something is close to being satisfactory but still falls slightly short.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "barely good" to sound more positive?

Consider using phrases like "decent", "acceptable", or "passable" if you want to convey a slightly more favorable impression.

What's the difference between "barely good" and "very good"?

"Barely good" implies something is only just meeting a minimum standard, whereas "very good" indicates a high level of quality or satisfaction. They are antonyms and convey opposite meanings.

Is it appropriate to use "barely good" in formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "barely good" might sound somewhat informal or understated. In formal writing, consider more precise language that clearly communicates the specific level of quality you wish to convey, such as "marginally acceptable" or "minimally sufficient".

What are some common situations where "barely good" might be used?

"Barely good" is often used to describe situations where something meets the bare minimum requirements, such as a grade that's just passing, a performance that's just adequate, or a solution that's just sufficient.